How Much Does a Wedding Planner Cost in the UK?

Wedding Planner Cost Guide

As a wedding planner, Im often asked questions about cost, value and whats involved.

Wedding planning support tends to be offered in a few options by Professional Wedding Planners here in the UK, ranging from full wedding planning to just on the day. Here's a typical summary of those options, with ideas what the likely charges are, which tend to be dependent on their experience, skills and involvement.....

Full Wedding Planning

Details - usually starts from the moment you get engaged until the end of your wedding day, although some will include clear up the day after your big day. On average this gives you 250-300 hours of support!

Typical Costs - 10-15% of your overall budget, and many have a set cost it starts from. For the more luxury wedding planner, you are likely to pay between £4,000 to £12,000+ for this service.

Partial Wedding Planning

Details - usually starts after you have organised some suppliers or booked the venue

Typical Costs - tends to be a lower percentage than full wedding planning; so less expensive

On the Day Wedding Management

Details - Often known as 'on the day coordination'. So a planner or coordinator will attend on your wedding day to oversee the day, and likely to be there for about 10 hours. Most professional planners wont just rock up on the day! So this package tends to come with professional wedding planning support from 2-6 weeks before the big day, so they can fully understand what you have planned, your vision, and give their professional eye over your details to ensure you havent forgotten anything. This support is very popular package, allowing the couple to sit back and relax on their wedding day while their professional takes care of coordinating the suppliers, and looking after the wedding couple and all the guests (and discreetly sorted any problems should they arise!)

Typical Costs - typically from £1,000

Pay by the Hour

Details - this works for some paying for professional advice by the hour, although its not as value for money in comparison to a package price. But ideal for those on minimum budget who want to get advice on a particular challenge they face, and want some guidance.

Typical Costs - anything from £50 to £150 approximately an hour

Why do Planners Charge So Much?

Some people think that managing an event is an easy task. But thats not typically true. There is a lot more to event management than meets the eye. Planning a wedding can take over 250-300 plus hours, although it is not just about the time actually spent supporting the couple in their planning journey.

Many planners will have invested in training from logistical planning, time management, styling, budgeting and so on.

They will also have business overheads and expenses including insurances, which are ever increasing.

The more experienced the planner is the more networks of suppliers they will have built up, valuable knowledge they can share as well as experienced at running all sizes and types of events. This is all value they will bring for their chargeable rate.

Depending on their whereabouts in the UK they are based, will have an impact on their charges too. And some will charge a premium if they only take on a small number of weddings per year.

And while many work from a home base, they will need a vehicle to maintain as part of their business running costs, coupled with the travelling and mileage they will incur in their job.

Another factor to remember is if you are booking an independent wedding planner (and not one employed by a venue) then they are likely to be self employed, so out of their charges they will need to deduct tax and national insurance (so that's typically 33% off their income they actually receive less all of the above)

So, its not just about the time actually spent supporting the couple in their planning journey!

Click here to find out about Amanda-Louise Knight Wedding Proposals & Events wedding planning services